Communities, churches take the trick out of treating, offering alternatives to Halloween tradition

Staff file photo • Stuart BauerDressed as Curious George, Caden BoyChuk, 17 months, of Burton has a doughnut and a bag of goodies as he hits the Truck and Treat at Peace Lutheran Church in Mundy Township in 2006.

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Unpredictable weather and concerns about the safety of their children have many parents seeking alternative Halloween night activities to replace traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating.

There is no shortage of choices from "trunk or treating," sometimes called Halloween tailgating, to full-fledged harvest festivals and parties.

World Outreach Center in Davison started offering an alternative Halloween event, dubbed Community Safe Night, eight years ago at the nondenominational church. Then the event was moved to Davison High School where it's become a huge Halloween attraction.

"We started at the church and couldn't get a huge turnout but when we took it to the school it became everybody's house," said children's director Carole Henke.

Last year, 1,000 people attended. This year's party runs from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday in the Davison High School gym. It's free for children. Some adult concessions are available for a nominal cost. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The evening includes face painting, clowns, puppets, carnival games and a bounce house.

"When every child leaves, they get a bag with about a pound of candy," Henke said.

The evening also includes the Adrenaline Rush II, an indoor obstacle course, and new this year, an inflatable Cash Cube that blows around gift certificates and golden tickets for prizes. Children will have 30 seconds to get in the cube and try to catch a prize.

Safety is top priority. Community Safe Night is held in conjunction with the Davison Community Schools, the city of Davison and the Davison Area Police Department.

Each child is registered upon entering and wears a wrist band that matches the band given to the adult who brought them. The bands are checked at the door so no child leaves with anyone but their parent or guardian.

"The whole thing is to keep the kids in a safe and protected environment and off the streets," said Henke.

Many churches help children avoid the hazards of going door-to-door on Halloween by holding trunk-and-treat events. Peace Lutheran Church in Mundy Township is holding its fifth annual Trunk-n-Treat from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday in the church parking lot, 2051 W. Maple Ave. About 25 cars will be parked in the lot and children can visit each one for candy. Cider and doughnuts are served and prizes are given away.

"The children that register are also invited to our Easter program in the spring," said church secretary Linda Weston.

There's nothing like whipping up a batch of slime for Halloween. That's just one of the activities planned at Slime Time, a celebration being hosted from 4-6 p.m. Friday by Fenton United Methodist Church, 119 S. Leroy Street, Fenton.

"It's a non-scary event even though it sounds gooey," said Noreen Wood, Christian education director.

Making slime and playing slime games starts the fun, but there also will be crafts, games, and of course, candy, doughnuts and cider.

"A lot of kids come in and go through quickly and do their regular trick-or-treating," Wood said.

Little ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat from 1-6 p.m. at businesses in downtown Fenton thanks to the Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce and its members.

Messiah Lutheran Church, 520 Butler Street, Clio is hosting an Oktoberfest. There will be polka music, but don't come looking for beer. Oktoberfest, which runs from 6-9 p.m. Friday will include Trunk-n-Treating. Church members decorate the trunks of their cars and hand out candy.

"Some of them are pretty elaborately done," said church secretary Kathie Kuhl.

There's also games, snacks and polka music in the church gym and outside a bonfire, hot dog roast and s'mores, plus a hay ride. Like most of these events, it's all free.

Halloween parties to replace traditional trick-or-treating appear to be here to stay. They are available in virtually every community.